IMO News - Winter Issue - 2018/2019

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NEWS

Addressing marine plastic litter from ships – action plan adopted

The magazine of the International Maritime Organization WINTER 2018

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FEATURE

Tackling maritime emissions - IMO rolls out ship and port emissions toolkits

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MEETINGS

Analysis of consolidated audit reports

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AT WORK

Promoting electronic data exchange in West Africa

IMO NEWS

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WINTER 2018

Its time to make a difference

2020 0.5% Max

The IMO has adopted a global sulphur cap. This requires all ships to either use max 0.5% sulphur content Marine Fuel Oil, or fit a scrubbing device capable of removing the sulphur to an equivalent level of MFO emissions or better as from 1st January 2020.

By using approved exhaust gas scrubbing devices operators can continue using HFO safe in the knowledge that pollutants are captured at source

With it’s patented technology Pacific Green Marine is able to offer state of the art exhaust gas scrubbing systems for fleets of all classes around the world.

We offer a comprehensive one stop tailored solution from start to finish providing the economic benefit model, costing, design, engineering, manufacturing and installation.

Pacific Green offers the simplest solution for the 2020 regulations Visit www.pacificgreenmarine.com or email our team at enquiries@pacificgreenmarine.com for more information

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IMO NEWS

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WINTER 2018

CONTENTS

OPINION

IMO – ready to collaborate for a 5 sustainable future FROM THE MEETINGS

FEATURE

Environment Protection 12 Marine Committee (MEPC)

of the Seafarer photo 20 Day competition

Convention/London 14 London Protocol (LCLP)

17 Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers

on 26 Sub-Committee Implementation of IMO

NEWS

Next steps to deliver IMO GHG

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maritime emissions 22 Tackling - IMO rolls out ship and port emissions toolkits

Maritime Day 2018 24 World “IMO 70: Our Heritage – Better Shipping for a Better Future”

Instruments (III)

strategy

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Implementation of sulphur 2020 limit - carriage ban adopted

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Addressing marine plastic litter from ships – action plan adopted

IMO AT WORK

28 News and stories from around the world on IMO’s work to promote safe, secure and sustainable shipping on clean oceans

MANAGING EDITOR Lee Adamson Email: ladamson@imo.org 4, Albert Embankment London SE1 7SR United Kingdom

ASSISTANT EDITOR Natasha Brown Email: nbrown@imo.org

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EDITORIAL PRODUCTION Mark Combe

Email: imonews@imo.org Website: www.imo.org

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IMO News is the magazine of the International Maritime Organization and is distributed free of charge to qualified readers. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of IMO and the inclusion of an advertisement implies no endorsement of any kind by IMO of the product or service advertised.

The contents may be reproduced free of charge on condition that acknowledgement is given to IMO News.

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IMO NEWS

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WINTER 2018

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IMO NEWS • WINTER 2018Secretary-General Kitack Lim A message from IMO

OPINION IMO AT WORK

IMO – ready to collaborate for a sustainable future S

hipping, together with all its related maritime activities, is a critical part of the global supply chain and, by extension, an essential component of any programme for future sustainable economic growth.

By facilitating and providing improved access to basic materials, goods, services and products through commerce, and assisting in the creation of prosperity among nations and peoples, shipping is helping to lift millions of people out of poverty.

The world needs a sustainable and efficient shipping industry to keep the wheels of our global society in constant motion in a safe, secure and sustainable manner.

The importance of the world’s oceans for our collective future is undeniable. This importance is underlined by the UN 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, in particular, SDG 14, including the call for action by the UN Oceans Conference in 2017.

The Oceans have a tremendous potential for boosting economic growth, employment and innovation as the ocean economy encompasses ocean-based industries such as shipping, fisheries, renewable energies, maritime transportation, sea ports, tourism and marine biotechnology as well as its natural assets, such as carbon dioxide absorption.

The oceans have long been a source of economic livelihood.

But today this vast resource is under threat from population growth, urbanization, over-exploitation, pollution, acidification, marine plastic litter, underwater noise, declining biodiversity, climate change and the expansion of global trade.

All those factors place increased stress on marine resources as well as posing the risk of depletion or even irreversible harm to this great resource.

Realising the full potential of our oceans, and the growing ocean economy, will require responsible and sustainable approaches to their economic development and a strong collaboration and cooperation among all stakeholders. A prosperous and green shipping industry will contribute to a blue economy.

As an agency of the United Nations, IMO is heavily engaged in matters concerning the governance and protection of the oceans.

With all its safety and environmental instruments, IMO is already positively impacting the sustainable development of our oceans and the blue economy.

However, IMO is ready to further strengthen its activities to ensure a sustainable ocean economy, through proactive engagement in emerging environmental issues, such as micro plastics, ocean governance, underwater noise and other matters impacting on our oceans.

A key objective for IMO is to ensure shipping can continue making its contribution to the sustainable growth of the ocean economy.

The maritime industry is a crucial part of the global supply chain and IMO needs to promote increased communication and collaboration between shipping, port and logistics industries to enhance efficiency and sustainability of shipping.

In the context of the 2030 Agenda, IMO and the maritime community have important roles to play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Our technical cooperation programme, with its emphasis on capacity building, enhancing partnerships and mobilizing resources among our members, is central to the Organization’s response to the SDGs. Our future depends on healthy oceans. As the use of the world’s oceans intensifies due to the increased activities of oceanbased industries, and as more stakeholders get involved, there is a need for closer collaboration and communication to ensure the sustainable development of activities in our oceans.

IMO is already collaborating with other relevant bodies to ensure the sustainable growth of the ocean economy, and is now ready to intensify this collaboration to ensure healthy oceans and a sustainable ocean economy for our future.

www.imo.org

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IMO NEWS

NEWS

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WINTER 2018

Next steps to deliver IMO GHG strategy T

he work to deliver the IMO initial strategy on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships has moved forward with the approval of a programme of followup actions.

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 73) approved the followup programme, intended to be used as a planning tool in meeting the timelines identified in the initial strategy, which was adopted in April 2018.

The initial strategy refers to a range of candidate short-, mid- and long term measures that will be considered by IMO. Short-term measures could be finalized and agreed between 2018 and 2023; mid-term measures, between 2023 and 2030; and long-term measures, beyond 2030.

Feeding into the process towards adoption of a revised strategy in 2023 will be the data collection system on fuel oil consumption of ships over 5,000 gross tons, which begins on 1 January 2019; and a fourth IMO GHG study, to be initiated in the first half of 2019.The programme of follow-up actions provides agreed timelines for specified streams of activity.

Commending the Committee’s approval of the programme of follow-up actions, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said it “sets a clear signal on how to further progress the matter of reduction of GHG emissions from ships up to 2023”.

“The planning exercise to implement the Initial Strategy up to 2023 is now behind us. It is time to take a step further,” he told IMO Member States. “In looking at the agreed programme of follow-up actions, I understand that you have a heavy workload ahead. I am convinced that, in re-doubling your efforts and with enhanced support from working arrangements, you will be able to deliver and even accelerate the pace of actions and tackle this immense and global challenge.”

Programme of follow-up actions

The streams of activity identified in the programme of follow-up actions include: • candidate short-term measures (Group A) that can be considered and addressed under existing IMO

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Innovative technologies such as use of renewable power on ships are likely to figure in future plans to cut GHG emissions from shipping

instruments; • candidate short-term measures (Group B) that are not work in progress and are subject to data analysis; • candidate short-term measures (Group C) that are not work in progress and are not subject to data analysis; • candidate mid-/long-term measures and action to address the identified barriers; • impacts on States; • fourth IMO GHG Study – set to be initiated in 2019; • capacity-building, technical cooperation, research and development; and • follow-up actions towards the development of the revised strategy – set to be adopted in 2023.

The Committee invited concrete proposals on candidate short-term measures to the next Committee session, MEPC 74 (May 2019), for consideration, as well as on the procedure for assessing the impacts on States; and also on candidate mid/long-term measures to MEPC 74 and MEPC 75.

Fourth IMO GHG study

The MEPC developed draft terms of reference for the Fourth IMO GHG Study, which should be initiated in 2019. It was agreed that an expert workshop should be held in order to discuss technical and methodological issues and advise the Committee on the terms of reference of the Study. The Fourth IMO GHG Study is intended to provide an update of emissions estimates for international shipping for the period 2012 to 2018 and may include scenarios for future shipping emissions and estimates of carbon intensity.

Fifth intersessional working group

The MEPC approved the terms of reference for the fifth meeting of the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG emissions from ships, to be held ahead of MEPC 74. The intersessional group will be tasked with, among other things, considering concrete proposals for assessing the impacts on States of candidate measures; and considering concrete proposals on candidate short-term measures.

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IMO NEWS

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www.imo.org

WINTER 2018

NEWS

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NEWS

Implementation of sulphur 2020 limit - carriage ban adopted A

n amendment to support consistent implementation of the forthcoming 0.50% limit on sulphur in ships fuel oil was adopted

by IMO, during the Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting in October 2018 (MEPC 73).

The new 0.50% limit (reduced from 3.50% currently) on sulphur in ships’ fuel oil will be in force from 1 January 2020, under IMO’s MARPOL treaty, with benefits for the environment and human health.

The complementary MARPOL amendment will prohibit the carriage of non-compliant fuel oil for combustion purposes for propulsion or operation on board a ship - unless the ship has an exhaust gas cleaning system (“scrubber”) fitted. Installing a scrubber is accepted as an alternative means to meet the sulphur limit requirement.

The complementary amendment is expected to enter into force on 1 March 2020.

The amendment does not change in any way the entry into force date of the 0.50% limit from 1 January 2020. It is intended as an additional measure to support consistent implementation and compliance and provide a means for effective enforcement by States, particularly port State control.

Most ships are expected to utilize new blends of fuel oil which will be produced to meet the 0.50% limit on sulphur in fuel oil. Currently, the maximum sulphur limit in fuel oil is 3.50% globally (and 0.10 % in the four Emission Control Areas (ECAs): the Baltic Sea area; the North Sea area; the North American area (covering designated coastal areas off the United States and Canada); and the United States Caribbean Sea area (around Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands)).

To assist ship operators and owners to plan ahead for the 0.50% sulphur 2020 limit, the MEPC approved guidance on ship implementation planning. The guidance is part of a set of guidelines being developed by IMO for consistent implementation of the MARPOL regulation coming into effect from 1 January 2020.

The ship implementation planning guidance includes sections on: • risk assessment and mitigation plan (impact of new fuels); • fuel oil system modifications and tank cleaning (if needed); • fuel oil capacity and segregation capability; • procurement of compliant fuel; • fuel oil changeover plan (conventional residual fuel oils to 0.50% sulphur compliant fuel oil); and • documentation and reporting.

The MEPC also approved guidance on best practice for fuel oil suppliers. The guidance is intended to assist fuel oil purchasers

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IMO NEWS

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WINTER 2018

Most ships are expected to use new fuel blends to meet the new requirement

and users in assuring the quality of fuel oil delivered to and used on board ships, with respect to both compliance with the MARPOL requirements and the safe and efficient operation of the ship. The guidance pertains to aspects of the fuel oil purchase up to the loading of the purchased fuel oil on board.

Following a discussion related to a proposal on gaining experience in meeting the new lower sulphur limit, the Committee invited concrete proposals to the next MEPC 74 session (May 2019) on how to enhance the implementation of regulation 18 MARPOL Annex VI which covers fuel oil quality and availability.

On fuel oil availability, the regulation requires each Party to “take all reasonable steps to promote the availability of fuel oils which comply with this Annex and inform the Organization of the availability of compliant fuel oils in its ports and terminals”. Parties are also required to notify IMO when a ship has presented evidence of the non-availability of compliant fuel oil.

Parties to MARPOL Annex VI are urged to inform the Organization of the availability of compliant fuel oils in its ports and terminals via the IMO Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) MARPOL Annex VI module well in advance of 1 January 2020, in accordance with regulation 18.1 of MARPOL Annex VI. The new lower 0.50% limit on sulphur in ships’ fuel oil will be in force from 1 January 2020, under IMO’s MARPOL treaty, with benefits for the environment and human health.

A study on the human health impacts of SOx emissions from ships, submitted to IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in 2016 estimated that by not reducing the SOx limit for ships from 2020, the air pollution from ships would contribute to more than 570,000 additional premature deaths worldwide between 2020-2025.

So a reduction in the limit for sulphur in fuel oil used on board ships will have tangible health benefits, particularly for populations living close to ports and major shipping routes.

The new limit will be applicable globally - while in designated emission control areas (ECAs) the limit will remain even lower, at 0.10%.

The 1 January 2020 implementation date was adopted in 2008 and confirmed by IMO in October 2016, giving certainty to refineries, bunkering and shipping sectors.

IMO has been working with Member States and the industry to support implementation of the new limit. Enforcement, compliance with and monitoring of the new sulphur limit is the remit and responsibility of States Party to MARPOL Annex VI. www.imo.org

IMO NEWS

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WINTER 2018

NEWS

Addressing marine plastic litter from ships – action plan adopted I

MO has pledged to further address the significant problem posed by plastics to the marine environment, with the adoption of an action plan which aims to enhance existing regulations and introduce new supporting measures to reduce marine plastic litter from ships.

IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) adopted the action plan, to contribute to the global solution for preventing marine plastic litter entering the oceans through ship based activities.

Dumping plastics into the sea is already prohibited under regulations for the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships in the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), which also oblige governments to ensure adequate port reception facilities to receive ship waste. Under the London Convention and Protocol on the dumping of wastes at sea, only permitted materials can be dumped and this waste has to be fully assessed to ensure it does not contain harmful materials like plastic litter.

Recognizing that more needs to be done to address the environmental and health problems posed by marine plastic litter, IMO Member States meeting in the MEPC agreed actions to be completed by 2025, which relate to all ships, including fishing vessels. The action plan supports IMO’s commitment to meeting the targets set in the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) on the oceans.

Marine plastic litter can also pose dangers to shipping. For example, abandoned or lost fishing nets can become entangled in propellers and rudders.

The action plan notes that marine plastic litter enters the marine environment as a result of a wide range of land- and sea-based activities. Both macroplastics (for example, large plastic items such as plastic bags, water bottles and fishing gear) and microplastics (small plastic particles generally five millimetres or less in size) persist in the marine environment and result in harmful effects on marine life and biodiversity, as well as negative impacts on human health. In addition, marine plastic litter negatively impacts on activities such as tourism, fisheries and shipping. This plastic material has the potential to be brought back into the economy by www.imo.org

means of reuse or recycling. Studies demonstrate that despite the existing regulatory framework to prevent marine plastic litter from ships, discharges into the sea continue to occur.

The action plan provides IMO with a mechanism to identify specific outcomes, and actions to achieve these outcomes, in a way that is meaningful and measureable. The plan builds on existing policy and regulatory frameworks, and identifies opportunities to enhance these frameworks and introduce new supporting measures to address the issue of marine plastic litter from ships. The concrete measures and details will be further considered by MEPC 74.

Specific identified measures include: • a proposed study on marine plastic litter from ships; • looking into the availability and adequacy of port reception facilities; • consideration of making marking of fishing gear mandatory, in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); • promoting reporting the loss of fishing gear; • facilitating the delivery of retrieved fishing gear to shore facilities; • reviewing provisions related to the training of fishing vessel personnel and familiarization of seafarers to ensure awareness of the impact of marine plastic litter; • consideration of the establishment of a compulsory mechanism to declare loss of containers at sea and identify number of losses • enhancing public awareness; and • strengthening international cooperation, in particular with FAO and UN Environment.

IMO will continue to work with UN partners, including, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), through the Joint FAO/IMO Ad Hoc Working Group on illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing and related matters; the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP); the UN Environment-managed Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML); the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP); and the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

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WINTER 2018

IMO Action plan to address marine plastic litter from ships Reduction of marine plastic litter generated from, and retrieved by, fishing vessels Measures include: • consider making the IMO ship identification number mandatory for fishing vessels over a certain size; • consider making marking of fishing gear with the IMO Ship Identification Number mandatory, in cooperation with FAO; • further investigate logging of the identification number for each item of fishing gear on board a fishing vessel; • remind States to collect information on any discharge or accidental loss of fishing gear; and • consider the development of best management practice to facilitate incentives for fishing vessels to retrieve derelict fishing gear and deliver it to port reception facilities, in collaboration with FAO. Reduction of shipping’s contribution to marine plastic litter Measures include: • review the application of placards, garbage management plans and garbage record-keeping in MARPOL Annex V; • consider establishing compulsory mechanism to declare loss of containers and identify number of losses; and • consider ways to communicate location of containers lost overboard.

Improvement of the effectiveness of port reception and facilities and treatment in reducing marine plastic litter Measures include: • consider the requirement for port reception facilities to provide for separate garbage collection for plastic waste from ships, including fishing gear to facilitate reuse or recycling; • consider mechanisms to enhance the enforcement of MARPOL Annex V requirements for the delivery of garbage to reception facilities; • consider the development of tools to support the implementation of cost frameworks associated with port reception facilities; • encourage Member States to effectively implement their obligation to provide adequate facilities at ports and terminals for the reception of garbage; and • further consider the impact on Small Island Developing States and on remote locations such as polar regions when planning for the disposal of waste to land-based facilities.

Enhanced public awareness, education and seafarer training

• consider reviewing fishing vessel personnel training to ensure that all fishing vessel personnel, before being assigned any shipboard duties, receive basic training on marine environment awareness oriented on marine plastic litter including abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear; and • consider amending the IMO model course on environmental awareness to specifically address marine plastic litter.

Improved understanding of the contribution of ships to marine plastic litter Measures include: • consider extending the reporting requirement MARPOL Annex V to include reporting data on discharge or accidental loss of fishing gear by the flag State to IMO; • encourage Member States and international organizations that have conducted any scientific research related to marine litter to share the results of such research, including any information on the areas contaminated by marine litter from ships; • conduct a study on marine plastic litter, including macro and microplastics, from all ships; and • invite Member States and international organizations to undertake studies to better understand microplastics from ships.

Improved understanding of the regulatory framework associated with marine plastic litter from ships • consider the development of a regulatory framework matrix for the purpose of a gap analysis.

Strengthened international cooperation • make information available to the United National Environment Agency (UNEA); and • continue work with other United Nations bodies and agencies, in particular FAO and UN Environment, as well as with international fora, which are active in the matter of marine plastic litter from shipping, such as through the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML).

Targeted technical cooperation and capacity-building • address implementation issues related to the action plan to address marine plastic litter from ships in the context of IMO technical cooperation and capacity building activities; and • Consider the establishment of externally funded major projects under the auspices of IMO in support of the action plan to address marine plastic litter from ships.

Measures include: • consider ways to promote the work of IMO to address marine plastic litter generated from ships;

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IMO NEWS

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WINTER 2018

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MEPC

IMO NEWS

FROM THE MEETINGS

MARINE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION COMMITTEE (MEPC)

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73rd session

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WINTER 2018

22-26 OCTOBER 2018

Action plan on marine plastic litter adopted

T

he MEPC adopted an action plan to address marine plastic litter from ships, intended to contribute to the global solution for preventing marine plastic litter entering the oceans through ship based activities.

The action plan identifies a number of actions, which will be reviewed at MEPC 74 prior to further work being undertaken, including a proposed study on marine plastic litter from ships; looking into the availability and adequacy of port reception facilities; consideration of making marking of fishing gear mandatory; promoting the reporting of loss of fishing gear; facilitating the delivery of retrieved fishing gear to shore facilities; reviewing provisions related to the training of fishing vessel personnel and familiarization of seafarers to ensure awareness of the impact of marine plastic litter; and strengthening international cooperation, in particular with the Food And Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UN Environment (Full story on page 9).

Propulsion technology will be central to reducing emissions from shipping

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships

T

he MEPC approved the Programme of follow-up actions of the initial IMO strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships up to 2023.

The programme of action is intended to be used as a planning tool in meeting the timelines identified in the initial IMO strategy, which was adopted in April 2018. The Committee invited concrete proposals on candidate short-term measures to the next Committee session, MEPC 74 (May 2019), for consideration, as well as on the procedure for assessing the impacts on States. (Full story on page 7).

Fourth IMO GHG study The MEPC developed draft terms of reference for the fourth IMO GHG Study, which should be initiated in 2019. It was agreed that an expert workshop should be held in order to discuss technical and methodological issues and advise the Committee on the terms of reference of the study. The fourth IMO GHG Study is intended to provide an update of emissions estimates for international shipping for the period 2012 to 2018 and may include scenarios for future shipping emissions and estimates of carbon intensity.

Fifth intersessional working group meeting The MEPC approved the terms of reference for the fifth meeting of the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG emissions from ships, to be held ahead of MEPC 74. The intersessional group will be tasked with, among other things, considering concrete proposals for assessing the impacts on States of candidate measures; and considering concrete proposals on candidate short-term measures.

Strengthening the EEDI requirements The MEPC received the interim report of the review of the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) “beyond phase 2”. The EEDI brings in increasingly greater energy efficiency requirements compared to the reference line.

The possibility of bringing forward the phase 3 requirement to 2022 (from 2025), for certain ships, was discussed, as well as a proposal to increase the energy efficiency improvement to 40% (from 30%) for container ships. The MEPC invited concrete proposals to the next session (MEPC 74) for further discussion.

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Use and carriage of heavy fuel oil as fuel by ships in Arctic waters

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MO has agreed that the Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) should develop a ban on heavy fuel oil for use and carriage as fuel by ships in Arctic waters, based on an assessment of the impacts of such a ban.

MEPC 73 considered submissions related to an appropriate impact assessment methodology process and forwarded them to PPR 6 (February 2019) to finalize the methodology.

Currently, the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil is banned in the Antarctic under MARPOL Annex I regulation 43. It is recommended in the Polar Code that the same rules are applied in the Arctic waters. www.imo.org

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WINTER 2018

MARINE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION COMMITTEE (MEPC)

FROM THE MEETINGS •

73rd session

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22-26 OCTOBER 2018

Implementation of sulphur 2020 limit

T

he new lower 0.50% limit on sulphur in ships’ fuel oil will be in force from 1 January 2020, under IMO’s MARPOL treaty, with benefits for the environment and human health. The new limit will be applicable globally - while in designated emission control areas (ECAs) the limit will remain even lower, at 0.10%.

Ballast water management treaty implementation

T

he International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (BWM Convention), entered into force in September 2017 and has, to date, been ratified by 79 countries, representing 80.94% of world merchant shipping tonnage.

Amendments to the treaty, relating to implementation of the convention, were adopted at the Committee’s last session.

The MEPC approved Guidance on System Design Limitations of ballast water management systems and their monitoring, and Guidance for the commissioning testing of ballast water management systems.

The Committee adopted amendments to update the Guidelines for ballast water management and development of ballast water management plans (G4) to address the incorporation of information on contingency measures in ballast water management plans.

The MEPC has recognized that there may be a need for future improvements to the BWM Convention in the light of experience gained and has approved a data gathering and analysis plan for an experience-building phase. Based on the experience and feedback gained, as well as the analysis of the data gathered, draft amendments to the Convention could be put forward for consideration at a future MEPC. The Committee was updated on the status of preparations for data gathering. It was agreed that two new outputs should be included in its agenda: “Review of the BWM Convention based on data gathered in the experience-building phase”, and “Urgent measures emanating from issues identified during the experiencebuilding phase of the BWM Convention”, both with a target completion year of 2023.

The Committee also instructed the Sub-committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping to develop training provisions for seafarers related to the BWM Convention, with a target completion year of 2021.

MEPC also approved two ballast water management systems that make use of Active Substances.

MARPOL amendments substances with a high viscosity or a high melting point

T

he MEPC approved, for future adoption, draft amendments to MARPOL Annex II to strengthen, in specified sea areas, discharge requirements for tank washings containing persistent floating products with a high-viscosity and/or a high melting point that can solidify under certain conditions (e.g. certain vegetable oils and paraffin-like cargoes). The draft amendments follow concerns about the environmental impact of permissible discharges of such products and would tighten requirements for the discharge from ships of tank washings containing such products.

www.imo.org

The MEPC adopted a MARPOL amendment to prohibit the carriage of non-compliant fuel oil for combustion purposes for propulsion or operation on board a ship - unless the ship has an exhaust gas cleaning system (“scrubber”) fitted. The MEPC also approved Guidance on ship implementation planning; and Guidance on best practice for fuel oil suppliers. (Full story on page 8).

Approval of guidance and other matters The MEPC also: • adopted the 2018 Guidelines for the discharge of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) bleed-off water • approved (for adoption in 2019) draft amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), including the draft revised chapters 17 (Summary of minimum requirements), 18 (List of products to which the code does not apply), 19 (Index of Products Carried in Bulk) and 21 (Criteria for assigning carriage requirements for products subject to the IBC Code) • approved an MEPC circular on Guidelines for the carriage of energyrich fuels and their blends • approved part IV of the Guidelines for the use of dispersants for combating oil pollution at sea, which focuses on the sub-sea application of dispersant • approved, for subsequent adoption, draft Guidelines for the use of electronic record books under MARPOL and associated draft amendments to MARPOL and the NOX Technical Code.

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MEPC

IMO NEWS

IMO NEWS

LCLP

FROM THE MEETINGS

LONDON CONVENTION/LONDON PROTOCOL

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40th/13th sessions

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WINTER 2018

5-9 NOVEMBER 2018

Disposal of fibreglass vessels – a serious problem

S

mall, fibreglass fishing and recreational boats are often found abandoned on the coasts of a number of countries, in particular some developing countries and small island States. This has been identified as yet another possible source of plastic litter and microplastics in the marine environment - a concern brought to the attention of the Parties to the London Convention and London Protocol.

The Parties reviewed a report on the current state of knowledge regarding the end-of-life management of fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) vessels, and on alternatives to disposal at sea. Some Parties highlighted their own schemes aimed at addressing the issue, including incentive schemes to motivate owners to take their redundant vessels to a recycling facility. However, there are significant knowledge and data gaps on this issue, especially in relation to the availability and sustainability of alternative management options.

The meeting endorsed a statement of concern, which highlights the problem and also noted that such vessels are not good candidates for disposal at sea, or appropriate for use as artificial reefs in the

In Bangladesh, fibreglass ships’ lifeboats are recycled to the benefit of the environmental and the local economy

marine environment, as they may float or drift, also posing a hazard to navigation. The meeting also agreed to issue a circular, inviting Parties and other relevant bodies to share information on current operating procedures and best practices associated with the end-oflife management of FRP vessels and on alternatives to disposal at sea, help to avoid, as far as possible, the reliance on disposal at sea of such vessels.

Dealing with platforms and other man-made structures

Compliance and monitoring

T

he meeting reviewed general matters relating to compliance and monitoring, including the submission of obligatory reports.

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he meeting continued its work to review and update the Specific guidelines for assessment of platforms or other man-made structures at sea, which were last issued in 2000. Dumping vessels and platforms or other man-made structures at sea is generally prohibited, but may be considered for a permit for dumping, if specific requirements are met.

The meeting agreed that the category of “other man-made structures at sea” is not defined under the London Protocol nor under the London Convention, but could refer to

other structures for which the Contracting Party requires a permitting procedure to abandon or dispose of in accordance with domestic legislation or other relevant international obligations. It was also agreed that the revised guidelines would not apply to previous or unplanned abandonments of platforms or other man-made structures at sea.

Dumping on the oceans – from space

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he meeting considered an emerging issue relating to material jettisoned during space vehicle launches, which could impact on the marine environment.

The activity is expected to rise sharply in frequency in the coming years as a number of new commercial satellite launch facilities are developed around the world. The meeting endorsed the Scientific Groups’ decision to establish an intersessional correspondence group, to collect further information on the issue, with a view to assessing the impacts of these activities on the marine environment and review the relevant guidelines issued by the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). In the meantime, the LC/LP Secretariat has initiated contact with COPUOS, to encourage exchange of information.

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Under the London Convention and Protocol, Parties are required to submit annual reports on dumping activities (such as permits which have been granted); any illegal activities detected; exceptions granted (such as force majeure); and so on. However, increasing the reporting rates remains a high priority, and the meeting urged all Parties, if they had not done so, to provide the secretariat with their annual reports.

The Barriers to Compliance (B2C) Project, funded by voluntary contributions from a number of countries over the years, has also been contributing to the work to improve compliance and to increase the ratifications of the Protocol.

The meeting approved a series of documents to support compliance, including the “Communication plan for the step by-step guidance on simple approaches to creating and using action lists and action levels for dredged material”, the “Communication plan for the revised guidance on national implementation of the London Protocol” and the “Frequently Asked Questions on the London Protocol”. www.imo.org

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WINTER 2018

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FROM THE MEETINGS

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IMO NEWS

FROM THE MEETINGS

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#WMUMARITIMEWOMEN

THIRD WMU INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE

EMPOWERING WOMEN IN THE MARITIME COMMUNITY 4 - 5 APRIL 2019, MALMÖ, SWEDEN To address the gender gap in the maritime, ports, fishing and related industries, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced that the theme of World Maritime Day 2019 will be “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community”.

Since it was established in 1983 under the auspices of the IMO, the World Maritime University (WMU) has been committed to the advancement of women. In 2019, WMU will host its Third International Women’s Conference from 4-5 April on the theme “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community”.

GLOBAL PARTICIPANTS Governments, industry including the maritime, port, ocean and fishing sectors, UN agencies, academia, research institutes, NGOs, indigenous communities, media and WMU/IMLI alumni

SHIPPING

PORTS

OCEAN & MARINE SCIENCE

Photo credit: Celebrity Cruises

TOPICS

FISHING & SEAFOOD HARVESTING

For more information and to register visit wmu.se/MaritimeWomen2019 Sponsored by

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Recognizing that all the goals are interrelated and indivisible, the conference is a call for action in support of achieving, in particular, Goal 5 focused on gender equality.

www.imo.org

IMO NEWS

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WINTER 2018

FROM THE MEETINGS

Low-flashpoint fuel updates as and other low-flashpoint fuels provide for a cleaner atmosphere as they emit very low levels of air pollutants, such as sulphur oxides and particulates. But these fuels also pose their own safety challenges, which need to be properly managed. The International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Lowflashpoint Fuels (IGF Code), which entered into force on 1 January 2017, aims to minimize the risk to ships, their crews and the environment, given the nature of the fuels involved. New ships using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels are required to comply with the IGF Code, which contains mandatory provisions for the arrangement, installation, control and monitoring of machinery, equipment and systems using low-flashpoint fuels, focusing initially on liquefied natural gas (LNG). The CCC Sub-Committee has been tasked with keeping the IGF Code up-to-date and developing amendments or other guidelines in relation to other types of fuel.

10-14 SEPTEMBER 2018

Interim guidelines for ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel The Sub-Committee agreed, in principle, to draft interim guidelines for the safety of ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel. The MSC was invited to refer specific paragraphs to other technical subcommittees for consideration and advice to CCC 6.

2016 EDITION

IMO I109E

The Sub-Committee agreed draft amendments to the IGF Code relating to the protection of the fuel supply for liquefied gas fuel tanks, aimed at preventing explosions. The draft amendments had been referred back to the Sub-Committee by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 99) for further review. The Sub-Committee agreed the finalwww.imo.org proposed text for approval by the Committee.

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INTERNATIONAL CODE OF SAFETY FOR SHIPS USING GASES OR OTHER LOW-FLASHPOINT FUELS

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The detailed interim guidelines are intended to provide requirements for the arrangement, installation, control and monitoring of machinery, equipment and systems using methyl/ ethyl alcohol as fuel to minimize the risk to the ship, its crew and the environment, taking into account to the nature of the fuels involved.

Specific sections/paragraphs to be referred to other subcommittees for consideration concern: location of cargo and methyl/ethyl alcohol fuel tanks (Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR); limit for safe location of fuel tank(s) (Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC)); fire safety (Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE)); ventilation, for review regarding control and monitoring of fire detection system in machinery spaces containing methyl/ethyl alcohol engines (SSE); and drills and emergency exercises (SubCommittee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW)).

Safety provisions for ships using fuel cells The Sub-Committee agreed to develop safety provisions for fuel cells as interim guidelines, to cover installation, fire safety and other relevant matters and instructed the correspondence group on safety of ships using low-flashpoint fuels to develop relevant draft interim guidelines.

Use of low flashpoint diesel as marine fuel The correspondence group was also instructed to discuss a proposal to carry out a formal safety assessment study for ships fuelled by low-flashpoint diesel (i.e. diesel fuel with a flashpoint of less than 60°C) and report back to CCC 6.

www.imo.org

5th session

IGF CODE

The purpose of this Code is to provide an international standard for ships using low‑flashpoint fuel, other than ships covered by the IGC Code. The basic philosophy of this Code is to provide mandatory provisions for the arrangement, installation, control and monitoring of machinery, equipment and systems using low‑flashpoint fuel to minimize the risk to the ship, its crew and the environment, having regard to the nature of the fuels involved.

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Ammonium-nitrate based fertilizer changes

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he Sub-Committee agreed to divide the existing schedule for ammonium nitrate-based fertilizer into two schedules: MHB Group B (cargoes which possess a chemical hazard which could give rise to a dangerous situation on a ship); and Group C (do not possess chemical hazards), based on limits for nitrate and chloride content values. Ammonium nitrate content below 20% or chloride content below 2% have been proposed as a criteria for dividing the existing schedule.

Potential problems with ammonium nitrate-based fertilizer had been identified following accidents involving the MV Purple Beach (2015) and MV Cheshire (2017). The recommendations arising from the investigation into the MV Cheshire casualty were presented to the Sub-Committee. In August 2017, the MV Cheshire, en-route from Norway to Thailand with a cargo of ammonium nitrate based fertilizer, suffered a decomposition event three days into the voyage. Despite taking actions to control the decomposition, the heat energy could not be dissipated, leading to a full evacuation of the crew and the loss of the entire cargo.

The issue will be further considered by CCC 6 in 2019 and the revised schedules could be included in the future IMSBC amendments (06-21).

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CCC

SUB-COMMITTEE ON CARRIAGE OF CARGOES AND CONTAINERS (CCC)

IMO NEWS

CCC

FROM THE MEETINGS

SUB-COMMITTEE ON CARRIAGE OF CARGOES AND CONTAINERS (CCC)

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Weatherdependent lashing

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he Sub-Committee discussed potential draft amendments to the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code) related to weather-dependent lashing, aimed at ensuring the highest level of cargo securing, taking into account expected weather and other factors. The amendments would concern chapter 13 of the CSS Code, related to methods to assess the efficiency of securing arrangements for non-standardized cargo.

Solid bulk cargoes code – amendments agreed

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he Sub-Committee agreed the next comprehensive set of draft amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code (amendment 05-19), to be submitted to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 101, in mid-2019) for adoption, following finalization by the Editorial and Technical (E&T) Group.

The 2019 amendments include updates to various schedules, such as a new individual schedule for bauxite fines as a Group A cargo, as well as editorial amendments.

The amendments will be incorporated into a consolidated IMSBC Code, to include all amendments to date, since the IMSBC Code was first adopted in 2008.

Guidelines on steel for cryogenic service

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he Sub-Committee agreed draft interim guidelines on the application of high manganese austenitic steel for cryogenic service, for submission to MSC 100 in December 2018 for approval.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is cooled to very low temperatures for carriage. The interim guidelines are aimed at ensuring the safety of ships carrying or fuelled by LNG, by specifying the requirements for the utilization of high manganese austenitic steel in the design and fabrication of cargo and fuel tanks complying with the International Gas Carrier (IGC) and IGF Codes.

Austenitic steels, known to resist corrosion, are non-magnetic stainless steels that contain high levels of chromium and nickel and low levels of carbon.

The Sub-Committee also approved draft amendments to the IGC and IGF Codes concerning tensile tests for materials other than aluminium alloys, with a view to approval and subsequent adoption by the MSC. A correspondence group was re-established to look at the procedure for considering and approving alternative metallic material for cryogenic service in the IGC and IGF Codes; and gather and evaluate information and data on any practical experience gained with design and production when using high manganese austenitic steel for cryogenic service. The group will report back to CCC 6.

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It was agreed, following discussion in a working group, that further detailed consideration of the matter was needed since the proposed amendments could have consequential implications for other cargo-related IMO instruments. A correspondence group was established to further consider the reduction curve for basic accelerations due to significant wave height regarding weather-dependent lashing; further consider draft amendments to annex 13 to the CSS Code; identify cargo-related IMO instruments, if any, which might be impacted; and submit a report to CCC 6.

Cargoes which may liquefy

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he Sub-Committee discussed amending the IMSBC Code definition of Group A (cargoes which may liquefy) to include phenomena other than liquefaction.

This follows research by the Global Bauxite Working Group, which identified a newly identified phenomenon affecting some bauxite cargoes, known as dynamic separation, which can cause instability of cargo and ship. The SubCommittee agreed that the definition should be amended and instructed the E&T Group to further consider this issue, with the aim of incorporating related amendments in a future set of amendments to the IMSBC Code after 2019 (amendment 06-21).

The Sub-Committee agreed draft terms of reference for the development of a model course for the IMSBC Code, with a view to validating it at CCC 6.

www.imo.org

IMO NEWS

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FROM THE MEETINGS

Marine litter

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IMO NEWS

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WINTER 2018

his year’s Day of the Seafarer campaign held its first-ever photo competition, providing a fascinating insight into the daily life of seafarers.

The photo competition invited men and women working at sea to share photos of what a “Good day at sea” actually looks like, reflecting their experiences of a positive working environment.

The winning entry (far right) is a bold geometric composition, focusing on the deck of a ship and the blue ocean beneath. It was submitted by Zay Yar Lin, a Master from Myanmar. The second place goes to Hanbo, a third mate from China and there are five third placed photos.

A seafarer’s job can be rewarding and fulfilling, but it’s also a demanding job. The 2018 Day of the Seafarer campaign advocated for higher standards of welfare and invited shipping companies and others within the industry to show how they provide a good working environment for seafarers and thereby make a positive contribution to their wellbeing.

The result was more than 1,700 compelling entries from across the world, with submissions from seafarers of all ranks, from deck cadet to captain, spanning dozens of nationalities. They ranged from evocative seascapes, to depictions of onboard camaraderie, to the often long and arduous tempo of life at sea, from oily engine rooms to enclosed spaces.

Organized in conjunction with the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), the photo competition was partly sponsored by The North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) together with IMO. The winning seafarer-photographer received a tablet computer and an action camera.

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Tackling maritime emissions - IMO rolls out ship and port emissions toolkits

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o reduce emissions across the maritime sector, national authorities need to first quantify those emissions and then develop a strategy to reduce them. A new set of toolkits to assess and address emissions from ships and ports is now available from IMO.

vessels. By utilising these guides, countries can develop national strategies which will address emissions from their maritime sector as a whole - protecting public health and the environment and contributing to the fight against climate change.”

The Ship Emissions Toolkit and Port Emissions Toolkit were developed by the GloMEEP project*, in collaboration with the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) and the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH).

Such strategies would include incorporating IMO regulations into national legislation. Annex VI of IMO’s International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ships (MARPOL) includes regulations to limit air pollution from ships as well as energy efficiency regulations to cut greenhouse gas emissions from ships.

The guides support countries to develop and strengthen national policy and regulatory frameworks related to the prevention of air pollution and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships.

They provide practical guidance on assessing emissions so that a national emission reduction strategy for the maritime sector can be developed. The GloMEEP guides provide a wealth of information on assessment techniques and how to develop a national strategy, as well as links to further practical guidance.

Both toolkits have been developed through extensive testing and feedback from practical use of the toolkit guides during national and regional training activities held in the 10 lead pilot countries participating in the GloMEEP project.

Astrid Dispert, GloMEEP Technical Adviser, said, “ports and shipping are intrinsically linked – as such, efforts to reduce maritime emissions need to extend beyond seagoing ships alone. IMO’s MARPOL Annex VI regulations on air pollution and energy efficiency are aimed at ships, but it is clear that for port emissions to be reduced, national authorities need to consider emissions from all sources, including cargo handling equipment, trucks – as well as domestic

Ship Emissions Toolkit

The Ship Emissions Toolkit provides a structured framework, as well as decision support tools for evaluating emission reduction opportunities in maritime transport. It offers guidance to countries seeking to develop and strengthen national policy and regulatory frameworks related to the prevention of air pollution and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships.

The Ship Emissions Toolkit not only considers emissions from international shipping but also encourages the user to assess emissions from and identify emission reduction opportunities for the domestic fleet. It may well be the case that domestic shipping represents the largest source of emissions in certain countries, and/ or becomes the proving ground for low- or zero-carbon technologies that can subsequently be adopted by international shipping. The toolkit recognizes that ships and ports are intrinsically connected and as such also provides links to the Port Emissions Toolkit. The Ship Emissions Toolkit includes three practical guides:

*GloMEEP supports the uptake and implementation of energy efficiency measures for shipping, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping. It is funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by IMO in partnership with the UN Development Programme.

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• Rapid assessment of ship emissions in the national context • Incorporation of MARPOL Annex VI into national law • Development of a national ship emissions reduction strategy.

Port Emissions Toolkit

As more attention is focused on reducing emissions from the entire marine shipping sector, ports are driven to understand the magnitude of the air emissions impact from their operations on the local and global community and to develop strategies to reduce this impact. Port emissions inventories provide the basic building block to the development of a port emissions reduction strategy. The Port Emissions Toolkit includes two guides: • Assessment of port emissions • Development of port emissions reduction strategies.

Port emission training in Panama

The last in the series of GloMEEP training activities utilising the Port Emissions Toolkit took place in Panama (25-27 September).

Participants gained expertise in assessing emissions in ports and devising strategies to address those emissions. This was the tenth such workshop, following similar events run by GloMEEP and IAPH in all the other nine lead pilot countries in the GloMEEP project.

Learning lessons from GloMEEP

IMO’s strategy on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships embraces an ambitious vision to phase out these emissions entirely as soon as possible. But, for this to be achieved, a number of barriers need to be overcome. For nearly three years, the GloMEEP project has been playing a key role in reducing GHG emissions by promoting the uptake of energy-efficiency measures for shipping. In November 2018 GloMEEP held a two-day “stocktaking” meeting in Hangzhou, China to assess the progress made during the first phase of the project.

FEATURE

A timely reminder…

Reducing the amount of time ships spend waiting outside port and at anchor could significantly reduce ship emissions, according to studies carried out by members of the IMO GloMEEP Global Industry Alliance (GIA). Ships can spend hours or days waiting at anchor outside ports, but providing ships with regular updates about the availability of berths, especially in the last twelve hours prior to port arrival, can support significant reductions in ship and port emissions.

Implementing “Just-In-Time” ship operations means ships receive information in advance so they can time their arrival at the berth. This can also allow ships to slow down, providing further reduction in the carbon footprint of shipping as well as reducing fuel costs. The GIA is looking into the operational and contractual barriers to implementing Just-In-Time operations in order to identify measures that could be taken by all stakeholders (including ships, port authorities, terminal operators, and others) to make Just-In-Time ship operations a global reality. A new GIA video explaining the Just-In-Time concept has beenlaunched.

The GIA is a public-private partnership initiative of the IMO under the framework of the GloMEEP Project. It brings together maritime industry leaders to support an energy efficient and low carbon maritime transport system. Leading shipowners and operators, classification societies, engine and technology builders and suppliers, big data providers, oil companies and ports have joined hands under the GIA to collectively identify and develop innovative solutions to address common barriers to the uptake and implementation of energy efficiency technologies and operational measures.

GloMEEP’s 10 lead pilot countries all reported considerable progress in a number of areas. All 10 LPCs undertook a systematic baseline assessment of shipping and port emissions and developed national emission reduction strategies and policies based on the Ships and Ports Emissions Toolkits developed by the project; countries that had not yet implemented IMO’s international treaty on air pollution (MARPOL Annex VI) have all drafted legislation and are working on enacting it into national law and the four new training packages developed through the project have resulted in more than 1000 participants being trained at national, regional and global level.

One major benefit emerging from the GloMEEP project has been the Global Industry Alliance to Support Low Carbon (GIA), a public-private partnership to support the project objectives.

The GIA has pioneered several on-going initiatives, including an e-learning course on energy-efficient ship operation, a study on just-in-time ship operation and a standardized protocol to validate the performance of energy- efficiency technologies.

Responding to climate change is one of IMO’s key strategic directions for the next six years, reflecting the Organization’s firm commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

IMO Member States have already expressed the need for the GloMEEP project to be continued, and ideas for a second phase, including funding possibilities, were discussed at the China meeting.

www.imo.org

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World Maritime Day 2018

“IMO 70: Our Heritage – Better Shipping for a Better Future”

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MO has been celebrating two major anniversaries during 2018, with a focus on the achievements of the past decades as well as the challenges of the future, as the Organization seeks to promote safe, secure, environmentally sound, efficient and sustainable shipping.

The Convention establishing IMO was adopted on 6 March 1948 and it entered into force 10 years later, on 17 March 1958, when the 21st State ratified the treaty. IMO’s first meeting was held on 6 January 1959, at Church House in central London, United Kingdom.

On 27 September, IMO and the global maritime community celebrated the annual World Maritime Day, under the theme: IMO 70: Our Heritage – Better Shipping for a Better Future.

“IMO’s heritage for 70 years has been to drive improvements in shipping to achieve a better world today. Our challenge for the years to come remains – to work in collaboration with all stakeholders to create better shipping – for a better future,” said IMO SecretaryGeneral Kitack Lim in his annual World Maritime Day Message.

Shipping transports more than 80 per cent of global trade to people and communities all over the world. IMO has adopted more than 50 international instruments, which cover all aspects of international shipping – including ship design, construction, equipment, crewing, navigation, operation and disposal.

“Since its beginning, IMO has worked to ensure that people all over the world can continue to benefit from shipping in a manner that meets the needs of the global economy, and also changing expectations

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about safety, environmental protection, social responsibility and so on,” said Secretary-General Lim. World Maritime Day is an official United Nations day. Every year, it provides an opportunity to focus attention on the importance of shipping and other maritime activities and to emphasize a particular aspect of IMO’s work. Each World Maritime Day has its own theme.

Individual governments are encouraged to mark the World Maritime Day, on a date of their choosing but usually in the last week of September.

IMO 70 events and activities

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series of events and activities have been held to celebrate IMO’s anniversaries.

On 6 March 2018 a ceremony was held at IMO Headquarters to mark the date when the IMO Convention was adopted, with a visit by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In May, a high level forum was held at IMO Headquarters to discuss the Organization’s history, its future challenges and role within the global trade in a changing world and in June, the 2018 World Maritime Day Parallel Event took place in Szczecin, Poland.

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FROM THE MEETINGS

SUB-COMMITTEE ON IMPLEMENTATION OF IMO INSTRUMENTS

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Updating port State control procedures

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Analysis of consolidated audit reports

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he mandatory audit of all IMO Member States commenced from 1 January 2016, to determine the extent to which they fulfil their obligations and responsibilities contained in a number of IMO treaty instruments.

Analysis of the audits of IMO Member States has revealed that the main areas for improvement relate to implementation, legislation, enforcement and delegation of authority.

The Sub-Committee reviewed the Consolidated Audit Summary Report (CASR) containing lessons learned from 18 audits completed under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme during 2016.

In the area of implementation (flag, coastal and port State), the majority of the shortcomings are related to the lack of implementation of policies through the issuance of national legislation and guidance; lack of assignment of responsibilities; absence of guidance for the requirements that are left to the satisfaction of the Administration, lack of administrative instructions/interpretative national regulations, as well as administrative arrangements for implementation of STCW 1978.

With regard to the area of initial actions/ legislation, the reported shortcomings indicate that, in many cases, States lacked sufficient personnel to assist in the promulgation of laws and to discharge all the responsibilities of the State.

The shortcomings identified under the area

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of enforcement mostly comprise the following: enforcement measures to secure observance of international rules and standards to ensure compliance with international obligations; qualified personnel and training and established processes for port State control (PSC).

With regard to the area of strategy, the reported shortcomings indicate that States lacked a methodology to monitor and to assess that their developed strategy ensures effective implementation and enforcement of the relevant international instruments; there was an absence of a strategy and also, there was a lack of mechanism for continuous review of the strategy in order to achieve, maintain and improve the overall organizational performance and capability of the State as a flag, port and coastal State.

With regard to activities related to delegation of authority, the audits revealed that the most common issue faced by the States was the lack of an oversight programme of their recognized organizations in accordance with the provisions of the IMO Instruments Implementation Code (III Code).

The outcome of the analysis will be forwarded to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) and Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) for consideration. This includes draft Guidance on communication of information by Member States, to be submitted to the next IMO Assembly in 2019, with a view to adoption as an Assembly resolution.

he Sub-Committee reviewed the recommendations of the Seventh IMO Workshop for PSC MoU/Agreement Secretaries and Database Managers (PSCWS 7), held in October 2017.

The Sub-Committee supported the development of a training manual for new entrants as flag State surveyor/port State inspector, to be regularly updated, for voluntary use. The Sub-Committee also supported the holding of future workshops for PSC MoU/Agreement Secretaries and Database Managers; the availability of a support tool for PSC officers and the clarification of the purpose of the collection of PSC data under the relevant instruments and the intended use of, and access to, such a compilation in an electronic format.

The Sub-Committee was advised that, in the context of activities which might be related to the follow-up to PSCWS 7 with regard to Outreach Partnership, cooperation is taking place with the Tokyo and Caribbean MoUs. This includes the Caribbean Ship Inspector Training (CASIT) course on carrying out flag State and port State inspections. This course has been developed to prepare ship surveyors to be able to work in a Caribbean maritime administration. On completion, trainees will be able to carry out flag State inspection on all vessels under 24 meters in length and conduct annual and renewal surveys on vessels up to 500 gt.

The Sub-Committee considered matters related to the updating of the IMO Procedures for port State control.

In particular, work progressed on the revised 2009 Guidelines for port State control under the revised MARPOL Annex VI; the Guidelines for PSC officers on the ISM Code; and on certification of seafarers, manning and hours of rest.

The updated procedures for PSC will be compiled during the next session and forwarded to the IMO Assembly(A.31) in late 2019, for adoption.

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IMO NEWS

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FROM THE MEETINGS •

5th session

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24-28 SEPTEMBER

Survey-related issues

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he consideration of the presence of a surveyor for the examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats, rescue and fast rescue boats, launching appliances and releasing gear; and the consistency of in-water survey (IWS) provisions for passenger and cargo ships was progressed for referral to the SSE Sub-Committee and the MSC, respectively.

With regard to the development of different definitions of unmanned, non self-propelled (UNSP) barges under each individual MARPOL annex or a unified definition for MARPOL Annexes I, IV and VI; and the exemption from relevant technical and operational requirements of MARPOL Annexes I, IV and VI for UNSP barges, the Sub-committee agreed to consider these matters further at the next session.

The Sub-Committee invited the Committees to agree that references to resolutions A.739(18) and/ or A.789(19) in existing IMO instruments should be replaced with references to the RO Code and resolutions A.739(18) and A.789(19) should be revoked.

Port reception facilities for marine litter

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ompliance of ships with the discharge requirements of MARPOL depends largely on the availability of adequate port reception facilities, especially within Special Areas. The Sub-Committee noted the importance of adequate port reception facilities for dealing with marine plastic litter from ships.

The 2017 summary information on reported cases of alleged inadequacies of port reception facilities was presented to the SubCommittee. During 2017, there were 75 reported cases of alleged inadequacies of port reception facilities (five more than in 2016), received from eight flag States, and Associate Member, and one territory of the United Kingdom. The Secretariat was requested to consider ways to address the low rate of response of port States to the reported alleged inadequacies.

Ports play a crucial role in reducing marine litter

The reports covered 244 waste categories in 36 different countries or territories, and 212 (more than 85%) related to waste categories under MARPOL Annex V, notably “plastics”, “domestic wastes” and “operational wastes”, underlining that more can be done to avoid plastic litter from ships ending up in the marine environment.

Model agreement on recognized organizations

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he Sub-Committee completed the development of a model agreement for the authorization of recognized organizations acting on behalf of the Administration, to be issued as an MSC-MEPC.5 circular, following approval by the MSC and MEPC.

The III Code and the Code for Recognized Organizations (RO Code) require a formal written agreement between the Administration and recognized organizations. The guidance provided by the Model Agreement, including its appendix, meet the minimum standard for a formal written agreement, as set forth in both Codes.

The model agreement, at the discretion of the Administration, may be supplemented by additional matters and/or may be formulated in more detail. Member Governments will be invited to use the model agreement when concluding a formal agreement with organizations carrying out surveys and issuing certificates on their behalf.

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Promoting spill prevention and response in western Mediterranean

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esponse plans are essential to ensure reliable national and sub-regional systems for preparedness and response, trained personnel, basic equipment and contingency plans for combating marine pollution incidents. REMPEC, the IMO-administered pollution emergency response centre in the Mediterranean, has helped organise a meeting of national authorities involved in the contingency plan for the western Mediterranean.

ASEAN Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan adopted

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MO technical assistance and institutional support has been instrumental in the recent adoption of the ASEAN Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan. The plan was adopted by the 24th ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand (8 November).

It provides a mechanism whereby ASEAN Member States can request and provide mutual support in response to oil spills and ensures a common understanding and effective integration between affected and assisting ASEAN Member States, in the event oil spills.

Since signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on an ASEAN Cooperation Mechanism for Joint Oil Spill Preparedness and Response in 2014, IMO has delivered various national and subregional activities in the different ASEAN countries to support implementation of the MoU, including a recent IMO workshop held in Malaysia in July 2018 aimed at familiarizing stakeholders with the plan. This technical assistance was provided through the Global Initiative project for South East Asia (GI SEA), a joint project with the oil and gas industry (IPIECA), and supports implementation of IMO’s Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (the OPRC 90 Convention).

The final adoption of the regional plan followed a recommendation of the ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group during its 36th Session in August 2018 in Singapore.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) includes: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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The fifth meeting of the competent national authorities in charge of the implementation of the Sub-Regional Contingency Plan between Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia for

Preparedness for and Response to Marine Pollution from Ships for the South-Western Mediterranean was held in Algiers, Algeria (27-28 November).

The meeting was attended by more than 150 representatives from Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, as well as from the United Nations, UNDP and REMPEC. REMPEC also facilitated further collaboration and exchange of experience between the South-Western Mediterranean Contingency Plan, and the Ramoge Agreement, a similar regional cooperation framework between France, Italy and Monaco.

Counter-terrorism training for Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka

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egal experts and port and maritime security officers from Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka gathered at IMO headquarters (27-29 November) for a workshop on implementing maritime transport-related counter-terrorism instruments. The joint United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and IMO Counter Terrorism/Security sub-regional workshop was a follow-up to three national workshops in the same countries.

This is part of an ongoing UNODC/IMO project to boost implementation of IMO maritime security and counter-terrorism

treaties. The emphasis is on the need for good supporting national legislation, as well as multi-agency collaboration. The project will continue with table-top exercises in Indonesia, Malaysia and Viet Nam in early 2019. A meeting planned for February 2019 will include the Philippines, which recently completed a table-top to test contingency plans on possible terrorism-related incidents in the maritime domain. The World Customs Organization (WCO), UNCTED and Interpol will be involved in future workshops on nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction via the maritime domain.

IMO fellowships for women in ports

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successful and well-run port contributes to the sustainable economic development of its region. But female empowerment is also a key economic stimulant. To address both these points, IMO provided fellowships to ten female officials attending a Port Senior Management Programme at the Galilee International Management Institute (GIMI) in Nahalal, Israel, (14 -27 November).

The two-week course provided participants with key information and updates on innovations in the port industry. Subjects covered included global trends and advances in port development as well as port security and efficiency in container terminals.

The fellowships come from IMO’s Women in Maritime programme which supports the UN Sustainable Development Goal number five - gender equality and empowering all women and girls. Over the last 30 years, IMO has facilitated access to high-level technical training for women in the maritime sector to help them reach leadership positions and encourage a muchneeded gender balance in the industry. www.imo.org

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How can investing in alternative fuels be encouraged?

Expanding technology centres echnological innovation and the global introduction of alternative fuels and/or T - integral players energy sources for international shipping will be integral to achieving the overall ambition in cutting maritime in the initial IMO strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships. A meeting of the IMO Global Industry Alliance to Support emissions

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he global network of Maritime Technology Cooperation Centres is expanding with a number of branch offices and becoming an integral player in implementing IMO’s initial strategy on the reduction of GHG emissions from ships. This is especially true when it comes to capacity building, technical cooperation and R&D. A 250-strong audience attended the MTCC-Africa side-event on Capacity Building for Climate Mitigation in the Maritime Shipping Industry (27 November), during the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.

The event was organized within the framework of the Global MTCCs Network (GMN), a network of five MTCCs established in support of IMO’s strategy on GHG emission-reduction to assist stakeholders and IMO member states through capacity building and technology transfer.

The GMN project is financed by the European Union and implemented by the IMO. The MTCCs (both now and in the future) will help ensure that, over the next three decades, emissions from shipping can be stabilized and reduced. This type of reduction is only possible with initiatives like the GMN and its activities, such as improving energy efficiency through retrofitting new technology on existing vessels, something which is currently being piloted by MTCC-Pacific.

The five MTCCs have begun the process of expansion, with MTCC-Asia establishing branch offices in Cambodia (in 2017) and more recently in Myanmar (November 2018), with a third planned for Bangladesh (to open in 2019). MTCC-Pacific is also expanding and is in the process of establishing its branch office in Samoa.

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Low Carbon Shipping (GIA) Task Force at IMO Headquarters in London (27 November) held a lively debate on the marine fuel for the future - and discussed how the GIA can support IMO in the development of measures that can increase the uptake of low carbon fuels (with a view to feeding this into IMO’s work on the initial GHG strategy).

The meeting agreed, as a next step, to hold a GIA roundtable early 2019 to discuss how early movers could be incentivised to invest

in alternative fuels.

The GIA Task Force includes representatives from members of the GIA, a public-private partnership initiative of the IMO under the framework of the GEF-UNDPIMO GloMEEP Project that aims to bring together maritime industry leaders to support an energy efficient and low carbon maritime transport system. The meeting took stock of the different workstreams the GIA has embarked on, including the development of e-learning course on energy efficient ship operation for seafarers and shore-based personnel, and work on the development of short and mid-term solutions that can support a global uptake of the 'Just-In Time', operation of ships.

Focused on a blue, sustainable future

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ow do we harness the potential of our oceans and seas to improve the lives of all, while conserving them for future generations?

This was the question addressed at the first Sustainable Blue Economy Conference, where IMO joined world leaders and maritime experts from around the globe.

The Conference in Kenya (26-28 November) saw governments, international agencies and other stakeholders discuss topics such as ocean governance, marine environment protection and maritime security and development.

IMO held side events on how States can leverage the Blue Economy into their national policies, promoting women in the maritime sector, and improvements in ship

energy efficiency and uptake of low-carbon technologies.

Speaking on the opening day of the conference, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said, “the importance of the world’s oceans for our collective future is undeniable”. He emphasised that “realising the full potential of our oceans, and the growing ocean economy, will require responsible and sustainable approaches to its economic development and a strong collaboration and cooperation among all stakeholders.” Secretary-General Lim said that he was “confident that the exchange of ideas taking place this week will make a positive contribution towards the objective we all share - to contribute to sustainable development and a thriving blue economy”.

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A plan for better ship pollution prevention for francophone Africa

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leven francophone African countries* have agreed on an action plan to better implement IMO’s key treaty on prevention of pollution from ships – the MARPOL Convention, Annexes I-V. The plan includes both national and regional actions as well as recommendations to IMO, which aim to address the root causes hampering the effective implementation of MARPOL. In particular, two priority areas have been identified: the provision of adequate port reception facilities and the application of MARPOL measures to offshore activities.

The plan was agreed at a regional meeting in Côte d’Ivoire (19-21 November) organized

by IMO and the Ministry of Transport of Côte d’Ivoire.

Participants took into account the MARPOLrelated findings of IMO audits that were carried out in the majority of the countries attending.

Institutional and regulatory issues, as well as human and financial resources, were identified among obstacles to effective implementation.

Some of the actions, such as facilitating access to relevant IMO documents by technical staff and enhancing inter-ministerial coordination, can be taken up immediately.

Others are envisaged to require more time, such as adopting new national legislation to implement recent MARPOL amendments, and allocating additional resources to recruit and train officers to effectively enforce the obligations set out in MARPOL. The action plan also identifies needs for further technical assistance for the participating countries. *Benin, Cameroon, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Guinee, Mauritania, Senegal, and Togo

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Ongoing partnership Boosting maritime security in Gulf of to empower port Guinea women

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ore women are joining the maritime ranks in many aspects of the industry. To encourage this trend, IMO supported a training course aimed at female officials from maritime and port authorities.

Twenty-seven women from 18 developing countries took part in the two-week “Women in Port Management” course, hosted in Le Havre, France (12 – 23 November). It included lectures on subjects such as port management, port security, marine environment, facilitation of maritime traffic, marketing, port logistics and other topics. The course provided participants with the necessary skills to improve the management and operational efficiency of their ports.

It included visits to the Port of Le Havre and the Port of Rouen, enabling the participants to experience for themselves the day-to-day operations of a port, with a view to applying this knowledge back in their respective countries.

The event was delivered through IMO’s Women in Maritime programme, in partnership with the Port Institute for Education and Research (IPER) and the Le Havre Port Authority. It comes as part of IMO’s ongoing and increasing efforts to support the UN Sustainable Development Goal number five: achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

This was the 14th training event of its kind.

Demand for the course has continued to grow substantially over the past years.

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aritime security depends on the capacity of national authorities to develop effective port security plans and procedures and the ability to self-audit. An IMO workshop for countries in the Gulf of Guinea, held in Tema, Ghana (13-16 November) has helped to build national capacity to enhance port security.

The training focused on how to establish multi-agency port and port facility security and facilitation committees with specific terms of reference; and on drafting port facility security assessments and plans. A third key area included tailored technical expertise on ships and port facilities’ security, maritime situational awareness, harmonized maritime security control and compliance, sharing information, mutual support, contingency planning, joint operations and response based on existing infrastructure.

Lectures addressed piracy, armed robbery and other illicit maritime activities. Key instruments covered included the IMO maritime security measures in SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code, as well as the ILO/IMO Code of practice on security in ports. Participants also visited the port of Tema, to see in practice how such measures might be implemented.

The programme to enhance port security in west and central Africa was funded by the Government of Denmark. National training workshops on port security and facilitation, with a specific focus on tackling the issue of stowaways (in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal and Sierra Leone), have fed into the final regional workshop.

Keeping it clean

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iofouling is the build-up of aquatic organisms on a ship’s underwater hull and structures.

It can be responsible for introducing potentially invasive non-native aquatic species to new environments and can also slow a ship down and impact negatively on its energy efficiency. Anti-fouling paints are used to coat the bottoms of ships to prevent biofouling. IMO’s Anti-Fouling Systems Convention, which has been in force for more than ten years, prohibits the use of harmful organotins in anti-fouling paints and establishes a mechanism to prevent the potential future use of other harmful substances in anti-fouling systems.

An IMO workshop in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire (21-23 November) has helped provide a greater understanding of the requirements and implications of ratifying, implementing and enforcing this convention and implementing guidelines on how biofouling should be controlled and managed. The workshop was attended by 35 participants from 11 countries and was part of IMO’s continuing efforts to help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals - in particular SDG 14, on the oceans. www.imo.org

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Enhancing facilitation of maritime traffic in the Pacific region

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hen the communication between ships and port is smooth, shipments move more quickly, more easily and more efficiently. This is where IMO’s Facilitation (FAL) Convention comes in. To help increase ratification of the FAL Convention and improve understanding of its requirements, two national seminars on facilitation of international maritime traffic have been delivered by IMO, in cooperation with the Pacific Community (SPC), in Tarawa, Kiribati (14-16 November) and in Honiara, the Solomon Islands (20-22 November).

Twenty-one participants from public authorities, agencies and private stakeholders attended the seminar in Kiribati, which was organized by IMO and the Ministry of Information, Communication, Transport & Tourism Development. Thirty participants attended the seminar held in the Solomon Islands, which was organized by IMO and the Solomon Islands Ports Authority.

Training in Turkey for dealing with hazardous substances

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anaging and responding to maritime incidents involving hazardous and noxious substances (HNS), usually chemicals, is an important element of IMO’s work. As well adopting global regulations dealing with these issues, in particular the so-called “OPRC-HNS Protocol”, IMO also conducts practical training exercises.

In November) REMPEC, the IMOadministered pollution emergency response centre in the Mediterranean, delivered such a training course in Turkey. It brought together representatives from both the public and private sectors, addressing the particular considerations and challenges in responding to HNS incidents in Turkey.

The event addressed gaps in capacity, and followed up on recommendations identified during a regional HNS response workshop (MEDEXPOL 2018) that REMPEC organized in Malta, in June 2018. The outcomes and recommendations from that event, such as the need to develop more specific response strategies and raise public awareness of the impact of spills, will be reported to IMO’s Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) when it next meets in February 2019.

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Promoting Helping Guinea electronic data protect its coastline exchange in West intense shipping and offshore Africa activities in the Gulf of Guinea Theexploration pose major risks to its coastline, so the country pays special attention to protecting its coastline.

In November a national workshop aimed at building the country’s oil pollution preparedness and response capacity was held, under the auspices of the GI WACAF project – a collaboration between IMO and IPIECA - the global oil and gas industry association for environmental and social issues.

The participants were able to gain key knowledge and skills – notably regarding assessment techniques and clean-up operations – which will help them develop an appropriate strategy and implement efficient shoreline response measures. The attendees also gained a better understanding of the various challenges and difficulties associated with these types of response activities, through a field visit and an assessment exercise.

The workshop was held in Conakry and organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests of the Republic of Guinea and, in particular, by the Marine Environment and Coastal Areas Directorate.

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hips and ports will need to be able to exchange arrival and departure data electronically from April 2019, under IMO’s Facilitation Convention. There requirements also encourage the use of a single window in which all the many agencies and authorities involved exchange data via a single point of contact. Training in the treaty requirements took place during national seminars in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea (13-15 November) and in Nouakchott, Mauritania (20-22 November).

The seminars highlighted the objectives of the FAL Convention: to promote public authorities to process their clearance procedures effectively and efficiently, to make the clearance of ships, their cargoes, passengers and crews in ports less cumbersome and more expedient.

Forty-six participants attended the Malabo seminar, organized by IMO and the Ministry of Transport, Post and Telecommunications of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. Twenty-one participants from public authorities and private sectors attended the seminar in Nouakchott, organized by IMO and the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy of Mauritania. www.imo.org

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